(19)

(11)

EP 1 173 116 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 22.02.2001 (43) Date of publication: 23.01.2002 Bulletin 2002/04 (21) Application number: 00928595.8 (22) Date of filing: 28.04.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61F 2/24 (86) International application number: PCT/US0011/616 (87) International publication number: WO 0064/381 (02.11.2000 Gazette 2000/44)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 28.04.1999 US 131351 P (71) Applicant: ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC. St. Paul, MN 55117 (US)	(72) Inventors: ANDERSON, Kimberly, A. Eagan, MN 55123 (US) LANGANKI, Danney, J. Lino Lakes, MN 55014 (US) (74) Representative: Wakerley, Helen Rachael  Reddie & Grose, 16 Theobalds Road London WC1X 8PL London WC1X 8PL (GB)